http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/issue/feedBIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 20162017-02-24T12:32:56+02:00Conference BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2016bii@ktu.ltOpen Journal SystemsCopyright terms are indicated in the Republic of Lithuania Law on Copyright and Related Rights, Articles 4-37.<p>The 20<sup>th</sup> International Conference<strong> BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2016 </strong>will take place in <strong>Santaka Valley KTU Science and Technology Centre</strong>, <strong>K. Baršausko str. 59, </strong><strong>Kaunas,</strong><strong> Lithuania</strong> from <strong>24<sup>th</sup> - 25<sup>th</sup> November 2016 </strong>. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2016 is organized by the Kaunas University of Technology, Biomedical Engineering Institute in collaboration with the Lithuanian Society of Biomedical Engineering.</p><p>Conference “Biomedical Engineering” invites all researchers, physicians, engineers, and students, who work at hospitals, companies, research institutions and universities, on creation, and use application of medical devices, provide scientific research in multidisciplinary field of biomedical engineering.</p><p><strong>Main topics:</strong></p><ul><li>technological support of health care;</li><li>physiological modeling and measurements; </li><li>biosensors and transducers;</li><li>methods and devices for diagnostics and therapy;</li><li>stationary and wireless systems for screening and monitoring;</li><li>acquisition and processing of biosignals and images;</li><li>medical visualization;</li><li>hemodynamics and tissue characterization;</li><li>medical informatics and bioinformatics;</li><li>e-Health and telemedicine;</li><li>clinical decision support systems;</li><li>nanobiotechnologies;</li><li>medical ultrasound technologies;</li><li>biomechanics and rehabilitation technologies;</li><li>clinical engineering.</li></ul>http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3384Prethreshold electron emission towards medical applications: characterization of nanomaterials, gas and radiation sensing (review of recent results)2017-02-24T12:24:46+02:00Yuri Dekhtyardekhtyar@latnet.lv<p>Rapid development of nanomaterials opens a wide horizon for their medical applications in nanovolumes both of the human body and sensors. Safe employment of materials in a human organism requires reliable detection of their properties. Characterization of both nano materials and nano sensors should be supplied at the nanoscaled dimension. To do not disturb gentle nanoobjects their measurements due to contact less technique are preferable. Low energy electron has a mean free path in a solid that is in order of nanoscale. Therefore, a prethreshold (energy of the emitting electron is close to the electron work function) electron emission contact less spectroscopies could become a good instrument both for characterization of nanostructured materials and nanosensing. Weak emission (~10<sup>-15</sup>… 10<sup>-13</sup> Q/cm<sup>2 </sup>) of electrons from a solid does not give a significant feed back to measurements in sense of the negligible inducted electrical charge at the material surface (a density of the surface electrons in the solid is around 10<sup>14 </sup>cm<sup>-2 </sup>). The paper reviews photo-, dual- and exo- electron emission fundamentals and their applications for characterization of focused to medicine nanoobjects (concentration of point like imperfections, their annealing, migration; surface charge of nanoparticles; energy gap; electron density of states; thickness of thin films and interfaces between them and the substrate) as well as gas and ionizing radiation nanodimensional sensing .</p> <p> </p>2017-02-22T05:57:54+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3379Gd nanoparticles’ impact on living cells in presence of low frequency EMF and strong MF2017-02-24T12:24:46+02:00Dace Graudadace.grauda@lu.lvAnton Kolodynskiantons.kolodinskis@lu.lvInta Belogrudovainta.belogrudova@gmail.comIsaak Rashalizaks@email.lubi.edu.lvLada Bumburelada.bumbure@lu.lvYuri Dekhtyardekhtyar@latnet.lvYuta Erbajuta.erba@gmail.comVineta Zemitevzemite@latnet.lv<p>Nanoparticles are defined as particles with size less than 100 nm and include natural, incidental and engineered nanoparticles. It is recognized that nanoparticles produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside and outside the cell and are the key factor in toxicological effects. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMF) occur primarily from 50 and 60 Hz electric power lines and from electric devices and installations in buildings. In medicine MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, radio waves, and field gradients to form images of the body. Majority of research shows no genotoxic, or otherwise harmful, effects caused by any part of MRI<cite>.</cite><cite> </cite>Gadodiamide is a gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent, used in MR imaging procedures to assist in the visualization of blood vessels. It is commonly marketed under the trade name Omniscan. Plant immature gametic cells were used as model cells in the research as very vulnerable to environmental influence. ROS production as a result of oxidative stress in plant cells has great influence on cell self fluorescence that could be detected by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry (FCM) is widely used method for investigation of different cell parameters, including cell oxidative stress determination on base of educed peroxidase intensity. The aim of this study was to determine by FCM the combined effects of Gd nanoparticles (GdNPs) on intracellular concentration of ROS in plant immature gametic cells in presence of both 50 Hz ELF EMF and strong MF. A significant difference of fluorescence was observed between control cultures of gametic cells and gametic cells after 1 hour incubation with suspension of GdNPs in all used densities of ELF EMF. The most effective influence on cells were observed using ELF EMF with density 200 μT. The experiment with MR showed that GdNPs the MR dramatically decreased the cell fluorescence. The cells incubated in presence of GdNPs had considerable extent of relative fluorescence (RF) after influence of MR in comparison to cells cultivated without GdNPs.</p>2017-02-22T05:40:30+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3366Electrospun materials from poly (vinyl alcohol) nano/microfibers with undoped and boron doped hydroxyapatite particles2017-02-24T12:27:02+02:00Evaldas Bolskisevaldas.bolskis@ktu.eduErika Adomaviciuteevaldas.bolskis@ktu.eduSigitas Stanysevaldas.bolskis@ktu.eduVirginija Jankauskaiteevaldas.bolskis@ktu.eduOnder Albayrakevaldas.bolskis@ktu.edu<p>In this study is to investigate the influence of different types of HAp particles on structure of electrospun poly (vinyl alcohol) nano/microfibers mats.</p> <p>It is possible to form nano/microfibers with boron doped and undoped hydroxyapatite particles by using electrospinning method. The type of HA powders has influence on diameter of electrospun nano/microfibers.</p>2016-12-21T03:47:54+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3389Hyaluronic acid for tissue regeneration2017-02-24T12:24:46+02:00Odeta Baniukaitieneodeta.baniukaitiene@ktu.ltRimante Kutraiteodeta.baniukaitiene@ktu.ltJurate Gaidemauskaiteodeta.baniukaitiene@ktu.ltLina Sciupakovaiteodeta.baniukaitiene@ktu.ltDeimante Narauskaiteodeta.baniukaitiene@ktu.ltAuguste Baltrukeviciuteodeta.baniukaitiene@ktu.lt<p>In this work polymer-based scaffolds for tissue engineering applications were prepared. The results obtained in this work revealed that the morphology of the scaffolds is suitable for soft and/or hard tissue regeneration. The highly porous scaffolds comprised non-symmetrical interconnected pores. The prepared scaffolds were hydrophilic and stable up to one month.</p>2017-02-22T05:59:46+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3372Liposome loaded doxorubicin delivery to cells via sonoporation2017-02-24T12:24:46+02:00Martynas Maciuleviciusmartas.maciulevicius@gmail.comMindaugas Tamosiunasmartas.maciulevicius@gmail.comSaulius Satkauskasmartas.maciulevicius@gmail.comMindaugas Saulius Venslauskasmartas.maciulevicius@gmail.com<p>In the current study sonoporation was employed as a method for doxorubicin loaded liposome delivery to Chinese hamster ovary cells. The liposomes were successfully synthesized and loaded with doxorubicin to the therapeutic amount. The therapeutic effect of doxorubicin loaded liposomes combined with cell sonoporation resulted in 10 % cell viability decrease. The obtained results are promising as they indicate anticancer drug transfer opportunity to cells via sonoporation, simultaneously avoiding side-effects, common for <em>in vivo</em> applications.</p>2017-02-22T05:37:36+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3349Delayed suppression of recurrent excitation in the frog tectum column by endogenous acetylcholine2017-02-24T12:24:47+02:00Armuntas Baginskasarmuntas.baginskas@lsmuni.ltAntanas Kuraskuras.antanas1@gmail.comArtūras Grigaliūnasarturas.grigaliunas@lsmuni.lt<span>Neuromodulator acetylcholine participates in the control of the activity of neuronal networks. The results of the present study have demonstrated that endogenous acetylcholine, released in the frog tectum column as a co-mediator, causes the delayed inhibition of the recurrent excitatory synaptic transmission in the tectum column. The delay of inhibition was estimated to be of ~80 ms, and the magnitude – more than 2 times. </span><span>Suppression of the recurrent excitation enables a transition of the tectum column back to its lower activity level, suggesting a functional significance of the delayed inhibition: to establish the necessary conditions for returning of a neuronal network back to its resting state.</span>2017-02-20T15:20:45+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3356Tilting of the contextual filling line and the magnitude of the filled/unfilled illusion2017-02-24T12:24:47+02:00Justa Arlauskaitejusta.arlauskaite@gmail.comAleksandr Bulatovjusta.arlauskaite@gmail.comTadas Surkysjusta.arlauskaite@gmail.comNatalija Bulatovajusta.arlauskaite@gmail.comLina Mickienejusta.arlauskaite@gmail.com<p>In the filled/unfilled (or the Oppel-Kundt) illusion, for most observers the empty part of the stimulus appears shorter than the filled one of the same length. Although the phenomenon of the filled/unfilled illusion is rather well studied, there is still no consensus among researchers regarding its occurrence and features. It is known that uniformity and regular distribution of the filling elements can be critical for the illusion manifestation: if the elements are irregularly spaced or unequal in height, thickness, or luminance, then the effect of the illusion is less apparent. This tilting of the contextual filling line should significantly influence the magnitude of the filled/unfilled illusion, what, in turn, can provide a valuable information concerning the properties of spatial distribution of contextual interactions within the relevant visual area. There was orginized experiments and results confirmed the validity of our model. The data of the psychophysical experiments showed the curve similar to a Difference-of-Gaussians function. Such the result is consistent with our modeling and supports the suggestion on the presence of some area of spatial integration in closed vicinity of the stimulus axis.</p> <p> </p>2017-02-22T04:21:20+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3376Completeness of filling-up in the filled/unfilled illusion2017-02-24T12:24:47+02:00Inga Daugirdaiteinga.daugirdaite@gmail.comAleksandr Bulatovbulatov@vision.lsmuni.ltTadas Surkystadas.surkys@gmail.comAlgis Povilas Bertulisbertulis@vision.kmu.ltArūnas Bielevičiusarunas.bielevicius@lsmuni.ltThe present study is concerned with a contextual filling-up inducing the illusion of extent. The data of the psychophysical experiments demonstrated the presence of processes of spatial integration along the main stimulus axis. The dependencies established were used to verify the predictions of our semi-empirical computational model, and it was demonstrated that the model calculations adequately account for the illusion magnitude variations shown by all the subjects tested.2017-02-22T05:39:46+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3374Müller-Lyer and Oppel-Kundt illusions compared2017-02-24T12:24:47+02:00Paulina Simaitytepaulinasimaityte@gmail.comTadas Surkystadas.surkys@gmail.comAlgis Povilas Bertulisbertulis@vision.kmu.ltAleksandr Bulatovaleksandr.bulatov@lsmuni.ltArūnas Bielevičiusarunas.bielevicius@lsmuni.lt<p>The modified Müller-Lyer and Oppel-Kundt stimuli possessing three spatial intervals were taken for psychophysical experiments in which subjects adjusted the length of the test interval (the middle one with inward wings or just empty) to be equal perceptually to that of the references (two lateral intervals with outward wings or fillings of spots, line segment, or stripes). The data obtained from thirty subjects showed the two well-known illusions being similar in their manifestation stiles.</p>2017-02-22T05:38:47+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3360The Maximum Color Contrast Sensitivity Test for Detecting Early Changes in Pituitary Adenomas2017-02-24T12:28:33+02:00Rūta Mazetytėrutamazeti@gmail.comBrigita Glebauskienerutamazeti@gmail.comRasa Liutkevicienerutamazeti@gmail.comRobertas Knispelisrutamazeti@gmail.comDalia Zaliunienerutamazeti@gmail.com<p><strong>Purpose.</strong> To evaluate maximum color contrast sensitivity (MCCS) in patients with recurrent and non-recurrent PA.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>Materials and methods. </strong>126 eyes of 63 patients with PA were included in the study. Color contrast sensitivity was analysed with the MCCS test.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> A total of 162 participants were enrolled in the study. Sixty three patients were diagnosed with PA. Nine patients were diagnosed with recurrent PA. The average error score of MCCS test was 1.33 ± 0.649 in the control group, and 3,806 ± 3,425 in the group with PA. Test results range from 0,26 to 3,5 in the healthy patients, and from 0,66 to 18,36 in the patients with PA. There was no significant difference between the group with recurrent PA and the group with non–recurrent PA group (63,03 vs 66,33 (mean rank), respectively; p=0,72).<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Conclusion. </strong>The results of MCCS test were significantly higher in the healthy people than in the participants with PA (p&lt;0,001), but there was no significant difference between the group with recurrent PA and the group with non–recurrent PA group (p=0,72).</p><p class="Default"> </p>2017-02-23T10:30:25+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3393Maximum colour contrast sensitivity assessment in monozygotic and dyzigotic twins2017-02-24T12:24:47+02:00Rasa Mikalauskaitėrasa.mikalausk@gmail.comIeva Sakalauskaitėiewaskl@gmail.comRūta Šakienėsakiene.ruta@gmail.comEdita Kuncevičienėeditta414@gmail.comBrigita Būdienėbrigitabudiene@yahoo.comAlina Smalinskienėalina.smalinskiene@gmail.comRasa Liutkevičienėrasa.liutkeviciene@kaunoklinikos.ltDalia Žaliūnienėdalia.zaliuniene@lsmuni.lt<strong>Aim.</strong> To determine colour perseption differences between monozygotic and dizygotic twins by the maximum color contrast sensitivity (MCCS) test. <strong>Materials and methods.</strong> Our pilot study comprised of 5 monozygotic twin pairs and 3 dyzigotic twin pairs. All participants underwent ophthalmic examination, including MCCS test. <strong>Results.</strong> Based on MCCS test results, differences between twins, also males and females were statistically non significant. We found statistically significant difference in comparison of age groups: ≤40 years vs. ≥ 40 years (t=4,615; p=0.000; p&lt;0,001). <strong>Conclusions: </strong>Colour contrast sensitivity is important visual function related with age. Differences between twins were statistically non significant.2017-02-22T06:01:22+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3369Colour contrast sensitivity assessment in monozygotic and dyzigotic twins2017-02-24T12:24:47+02:00Ruta Sakienesakiene.ruta@gmail.comAiste Petrauskaitesakiene.ruta@gmail.comEdita Kuncevicienesakiene.ruta@gmail.comAlvita Vilkeviciutesakiene.ruta@gmail.comBrigita Budienesakiene.ruta@gmail.comAlina Smalinskienesakiene.ruta@gmail.comRasa Liutkevicienesakiene.ruta@gmail.com<p><strong>The purpose of the study.</strong> To determine colour perception within pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins and dizygotic (DZ) twins established by the Farnsworth–Munsell 100 hue (F-M 100).</p> <p><strong>Material and methods.</strong> 10 MZ twins and 6 DZ twins were tested. The computerised F-M program was used for colour discrimination.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> The results of F-M 100 test in MZ and DZ twins showed 175.45±153.4 vs.91.17 ±57.0, P=0.17;</p> <p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> Colour contrast sensitivity assessment was statistical diference worse in MZ than in DZ.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Key words:</strong> monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins, colour vision, visual acuity.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>2017-02-22T05:35:26+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3394Visual Acuity Variations under different contrast conditions in Age-related Macular Degeneration patients using Freiburg Visual Acuity Test2017-02-24T12:24:47+02:00Rasa Mikalauskaitėrasa.mikalausk@gmail.comIeva Sakalauskaitėiewaskl@gmail.comBrigita Būdienėbrigitabudiene@yahoo.comDaiva Stanislovaitienėdaivastanislovaitiene@yahoo.comRasa Liutkevičienėrasa.liutkeviciene@kaunoklinikos.ltDalia Žaliūnienėdalia.zaliuniene@lsmuni.lt<p>Computerized Freiburg Visual Acuity Test (FrACT version 3.9.3) with 3 different Michelson contrasts (100%, 50% and 3%) was used to evaluate different visual acuity variations of eyes with early ARMD compared to healthy eyes. Results suggest that FrACT might be one of sensitive diagnostic criteria to differentiate healthy eyes from early ARMD as testing by the typical Snellen chart using the Landolt rings (C optotypes) alone is insufficient for the visual function testing and provides limited information about the central vision.</p>2017-02-22T06:01:50+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3380Ultrasound assesment of retina in patiens with nonexudative and exudative ARMD2017-02-24T12:24:47+02:00Ieva Sakalauskaitėiewaskl@gmail.comRasa Mikalauskaitėrasa.mikalausk@gmail.comDaiva Stanislovaitienėdaivastanislovaitiene@yahoo.comBrigita Būdienėbrigitabudiene@yahoo.comJurgis Trumpaitisj.trumpaitis@gmail.com<p><strong>Aim.</strong> To compare B scan ultrasound signals backscattered from healthy tissues with signals from nonexudative (dry) and exudative (wet) ARMD areas. <strong>Materials and methods.</strong> We compared 60 cases of healthy tissue area (I group) with 30 cases of early ARMD (II group) and 30 cases of late ARMD (III group) using B scan ultrasound. <strong>Results. </strong>We observed that amplitude and mean spectral intercept were statistically higher in wet and dry ARMD groups than in healthy areas. Mean spectral intercept was statistically different in comparison ofI and II groups, also in II and III groups. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> When there are no possibilities to use more specific examination spectral analysis can be used as an additional diagnostic tool.</p>2017-02-22T05:40:56+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3362Farnsworth – Munsell 100 hue test associations with recurrent pituitary adenomas2017-02-24T12:29:37+02:00Brigita Glebauskienėbglebauskiene@gmail.comDovile Simonaviciuted.simonaviciute@gmail.comRasa Liutkevičienėbglebauskiene@gmail.comLoresa Kriaučiūnienėbglebauskiene@gmail.comKęstutis Šinkūnasbglebauskiene@gmail.comDalia Žaliūnienėbglebauskiene@gmail.com<p><strong>Purpose.</strong> To evaluate associations between the recurrence of PA and color contrast sensitivity by using F-M 100 hue test.</p><p><strong>Methods.</strong> 132 eyes of 66 patients with PA, 18 eyes of 9 patients with recurrent PA and 198 eyes of 99 healthy people were included in the study. Color contrast sensitivity was analysed by using Farnsworth - Munsell 100 hue test.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong><strong> </strong>In the group of patients with non-recurrent PA the error score was 63,62 (mean rank), while in the group of patients who had the recurrence of PA - 84,72 (mean rank) (p=0,03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> The results of F-M 100 hue test were statistically significant better in the non-recurrent PA group compared to the group of patients with recurrent PA.</p>2017-02-22T04:54:07+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3358Retinal nerve fiber layer measurement in patients with optic neuritis by optical coherent tomography2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Mantas Baneviciusbaneviciusmantas@gmail.comLoresa Kriauciunienebaneviciusmantas@gmail.comRasa Liutkevicienebaneviciusmantas@gmail.comBrigita Glebauskienebaneviciusmantas@gmail.comReda Zemaitienebaneviciusmantas@gmail.com<p>Optic neuritis (optic nerve inflammation) is the demyelinating inflammation of the optic nerve, which slows or blocks the transmission of signals to and from the brain. RNFL thickness was analysed with spectral domain OCT after pupil dilatation. Our study results shows that optical coherent tomography is useful device for optic neuritis diagnostic.</p>2017-02-22T04:22:38+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3357Macular pigment optical density assessment in monozygotic and dizygotic twins2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Edita Kuncevicieneeditta414@gmail.comRuta Sakieneeditta414@gmail.comAiste Petrauskaiteeditta414@gmail.comBrigita Budieneeditta414@gmail.comAlina Smalinskieneeditta414@gmail.comRasa Liutkevicieneeditta414@gmail.com<p>Abstract.The purpose of the study. To determine macular pigment optical density (MPOD) within pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins and dizygotic (DZ) twins.</p> <p>Thirty MZ twins and fourteen DZ opthalmologically healthy twins were tested. MZ and DZ twins were matched by age and gender. The optional macular pigment density module for the Visucam 500 used the reflectance of a single 460-nm wavelength based on a single blue-reflection fundus image to determine MPOD and its spatial distribution.</p><p>The median of macular pigment optical density were 0.102 for MZ twins vs 0.104 for DZ twins, respectively, p=0.541.</p> <p>Our results revealed that there were statistically significant difference between left and right eyes in monozygotic and dyzigotic twins.<strong> </strong></p>2017-02-22T04:22:01+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3359Swept-source optical coherence tomography: choroidal analysis in healthy eyes2017-02-24T12:30:46+02:00Gaile Gudauskienegailemazeikaite@gmail.comIndre Matuleviciuteindrematule@yahoo.comDalia Zaliunienedaliazal@yahoo.com<p><em>Purpose. </em>To evaluate choroidal thickness (CT) in healthy individuals using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).</p> <p><em>Methods. </em>Ophthalmological examination, axial length using Aladdin optical biometer and choroidal thickness using SS-OCT in 40 healthy eyes were assessed.</p> <p><em>Results. </em>Females had a thicker choroid than males in all subfields, N3000 region. A negative correlation between CT and age was detected in all subfields and between axial length and SF, T1500 and N1500 subfields (p &lt; 0.05).</p> <p><em>Conlusions</em>. A negative statistically significant correlation between CT and age and between axial length and SF, T1500 and N1500 subfields were observed.</p>2017-02-22T04:23:12+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3385Relationship of age-related macular degeneration and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases2017-02-24T12:31:41+02:00Karolina Adamonytekarolina0648@gmail.comVilma Ruceviciutevilmute003@gmail.comBrigita Budienebrigitabudiene@yahoo.comOlivija Gustieneolivija.gustiene@gmail.comRuta Zvirblyterutaa1@gmail.comLukas Būdabrigitabudiene@yahoo.com<p>Objective: to evaluate how the presence of CVD, CVD risk factors, severity of carotid atherosclerosis and CVD treatment are related to ARMD development.</p> <p class="Body">Methods: all patients filled in questionaire about CVD risk factors, presence of angina pectoris, MI. Vascular ultrasonography was performed to all patients to assess IMT, presence of plaques, peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities in carotid arteries. All patients underwent ophthalmologic assessment to evaluate the presence of ARMD.</p> <p class="Body">Design: this was a cross-sectional prospective study.</p> <p class="Body">Conclusion: CCA IMT was significantly higher in patients with ARMD. We did not find significant relation between ARMD and investigated separate CVD risk factors.</p> <p class="Body"> </p>2017-02-22T05:58:33+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3383The significance of B-Mode echocardiography, twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with Shiller blood pressure monitor and electrocardiography for diagnosis and treatment of essential arterial hypertension in children2017-02-24T12:32:56+02:00Karolina Adamonytekarolina0648@gmail.comIngrida Ruskytei.r.viktorija@gmail.comMigla Zebienemiglazeb@gmail.comRenata Simoliunienerenata.simoliuniene@fc.lsmuni.lt<p>AH has become an increasingly important medical problem in children and adolescents. Outcomes related to childhood AH include LVH, retinopathia, nephropathia, psychosocial problems also childhood AH can lead to adult hypertension. This study objectives were assess data of B-Mode ECHO and ECG and how their related with sex, symptoms, TOD and consumption of medications and importance of two different examinations for diagnostic and treatment of children’s EAH also to determine connection between the gravity of AH (assessing 24-h ABPM) with symptoms and TOD. The study involved the data of patients 14-18 years old who were hospitalized with confirmed EAH by general medical doctor. The results showed that the boys are the biggest part of children who have diagnosis of AH. Moreover, the boys with confirmed EAH had more often increased LVDD and the changes of ECG. In addition pathologic ECG’s and increased LV were more often to children who had the severe ambulatory hypertension comparing with the children who had the ambulatory hypertension during 24-h ABPM. So the AH’s diagnosis by general medical doctor and 24-h ABPM are equally important to diagnose the EAH because the frequency of the clinical manifestations did not differ but 24-h ABPM is important to evaluate the gravity of EAH.</p>2017-02-22T05:57:01+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3370Knee ligaments’ laxity assessment using GNRB® system after ACL reconstruction operation2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Rokas Jurkonisrokas.jurkonis@lsmuni.ltRimtautas Gudasrimtautas.gudas@kaunoklinikos.ltLaimonas Šiupšinskaslaimonas.siupsinskas@lsmuni.lt<p><strong>Purpose</strong>: to evaluate the BMI, age and graft diameter influence to recovery results using GNRB<strong><sup>®</sup> </strong>arthrometer system after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong>. Prospective study of 201 patients after ACL reconstruction in Hospital of LUHS. The operative age, sex, height and weight of patients and diameter of graft were recorded. Patients were divided into three groups according to the diameter of the middle part of graft: All patients were reviewed clinically by an independent examiner pre-surgery and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and laximetric measurements were taken using GNRB<strong><sup>® </sup></strong>system. An ANOVA test was used to compare the diameter of the graft among those groups, BMI, age of patients with arthrometer results in 134N force. The Spearman’s rho was used to investigate the relationship between BMI and diameter of graft or age of patients. General Linear Model was used to compare the results of tests. The difference was statistically significant at p&lt;0.05.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong>. We analyzed 201 patient’ data. There were 150 (74.6%) man 51 (25.4%) female. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (≤8mm) consisted of 42 patients (18 male and 24 female); group 2 (8.1–9mm) consisted of 81 patients (62 male and 19 female); group 3 (≥9.1mm) consisted of 78 patients (70 male and 8 female). Statistical significant difference was found in Group 1 and Group 3 by gender (χ<sup>2</sup>=31.958 p&lt;0.001). Also statistical significant difference was found in all groups by graft diameter (F=241.03 p&lt;0.001) and by BMI statistical significant difference was found in group 1 and group 3 (F=3.391 p=0.036). Significant correlation was found between BMI and graft diameter (R=0.215 p=0.002) and BMI and patients’ age (R=0.267 p&lt;0.001). Statistical results of groups by graft diameter in four GNRB<strong><sup>® </sup></strong>testing’s: a statistical difference was found among all testing’s (F=43.436 p&lt;0.001 η<sup>2</sup>=0.63) and linear mean trend was observed (F=75.47 p&lt;0.001). There was no statistical significant graft groups’ impact to testing result. Patient age’s (group 1 - &lt;30 and group 2 - ≥30) influence to functional recovery (by GNRB<strong><sup>® </sup></strong>measurements): a statistical difference was found among all testing’s (F=46.82 p&lt;0.001 η<sup>2</sup>=0.63), linear mean trend was observed (F=79.35 p&lt;0.001). There was no statistical significant age groups’ impact to testing result. BMI influence to functional recovery: a statistical difference was found among all testing’s (F=47.95 p&lt;0.001 η<sup>2</sup>=0.64), linear mean trend was observed (F=84.72 p&lt;0.001). There was no statistical significant BMI groups’ impact to testing result.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions. </strong>The GNRB<strong><sup>® </sup></strong>system is reliable measurement system to perform evaluation of functional outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, statistical significant difference in test results and linear mean trend was observed. Statistical significant difference was between pre-operative test and later tests (3, 6, 12 months), but no significant difference observed testing pair vice in 3, 6, 12 months. No statistical significant impact to functional outcomes was evaluated by graft diameter, BMI and age groups, but factors (graft diameter, BMI and patient’ age) have noticeable influence to the test results.</p> <p> </p>2017-02-22T05:36:26+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3387Eye-movement event detection meets machine learning2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Raimondas Zemblysr.zemblys@tf.su.ltThis paper presents a comparison of 10 machine learning algorithms in eye‑movement event detection task. The goal was to build a universal algorithm, which could work with any type of the eye-tracking data. Results show that even if tested on noisy data, sampled at a broad range of sampling rates, 5 out of 10 machine learning based universal models perform better than state-of-the-art algorithms. Even more, 7 machine learning based specialist classifiers, trained to work with high quality data, outperform expert coders as reported by Larsson et al. (2015).2017-02-22T05:59:18+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3373Concept of navigation system for blind people using image recognition and classification2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Darius Dirvanauskasd.dirvanauskas@gmail.comFarid Orujevfarid.orujov@ktu.eduRytis Maskeliūnasrytis.maskeliunas@gmail.com<p>This paper discusses enabling technologies to help blind people. The work focuses on Image Recognition and Classification methods for determining the important information by analysing photographic images. The article provides system architecture and implementation details of the images analysis system.</p>2017-02-22T05:38:11+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3411Mobile Virtual Reality System for Investigation of Subjective Visual Vertical2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Milda Totilienemilda_slkt@yahoo.comAndrius Paulauskasmilda_slkt@yahoo.comTomas Blazauskasmilda_slkt@yahoo.comVirgilijus Ulozasmilda_slkt@yahoo.comVaidotas Marozasvaidotas.marozas@ktu.ltIngrida ulozienemilda_slkt@yahoo.comIn this study, a mobile virtual reality (VR) based system to perform subjective visual vertical SVV tilt test was developed. The system is able to perform the following tests: static SVV test, two dynamic SVV tests and “realistic” SVV test. The group of 15 healthy young adult volunteers participated in the evaluation study. The system was evaluated in terms of the preferred control method of VR object, by using System Usability Scale questionnaire, and by visual analog scale to evaluate VR induced dizziness. The mobile virtual reality based system is accurate and applicable in the clinical environment. Gamepad based virtual object control method was preferred by the users, so this method should be used in further testing. No virtually induced dizziness was observed in healthy subjects during the tests.2017-02-22T06:04:18+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3375Evaluation of the Background Extraction Influence to Quantitative Analysis of Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis Gel Images2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Eldar Šabanovičeldar.sabanovic@vgtu.ltDalius Matuzevičiusdalius.matuzevicius@vgtu.ltArtūras Serackisarturas.serackis@vgtu.ltIn our investigation, presented in this paper, we have evaluated the influence of two different background subtraction techniques to the results of quantitative analysis of same proteins emphasized in gel using different staining techniques. Using 2DE gel image background extraction the variation of the estimated protein quantity increases more than 50% for 12%–33% of protein spots and more than 100% for 4.3%–12% protein spots.2017-02-22T05:39:29+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3390ORB Feature based Matching of Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis Gel Images2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Paulius Tumaspaulius.tumas@vgtu.ltArtūras Serackisarturas.serackis@vgtu.lt<p><strong>Abstract. </strong>An alternative approach was applied for matching two-dimensional Protein gel Electrophoresis images for real-time applications use. For the feature extraction of protein spot the ORB feature descriptor was used. The matching of extracted ORB features was achieved using the Brute Force matcher. Lastly, the planar homography transformation matrix is found and perspective transform applied gaining the warped two-dimensional electrophoresis image. The matching performed in 2.1 second of selected gel region having 2855x1176 initial resolution gel image with ~97% accuracy using standard desktop computing.</p>2017-02-22T06:00:13+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3400Algorithm for the detection of the mid-brain in B mode ultrasound images2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Andrius Romualdas Jukneviciusandriusr.juknevicius@gmail.comAndrius Sakalauskasandrius.sakalauskas@ktu.lt<p>This paper presented an algorithm for the detection of the mid-brain in B mode ultrasound images. Template matching is used to detect and mark the mid-brain area. Templates are created by changing scale and orientation of average mid-brain region outline, which is made by using Procrustes analysis by using statistical methods on 43 mid-brain contour marking by an expert. The algorithm process the original image by cropping it and equalizing histogram. The normalized cross-correlation is used to match the mid-brain contour. The results of the algorithm showed that it can be used to automate the process of evaluating the mid-brain area. The created algorithm detects mid-brain area in most of the cases, but due to variable mid-brain shape, not always shows correct scale and orientation.</p>2017-02-13T00:00:00+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3381Characterization of Gastrointestinal Cancer Cells Invasiveness by Estimation of Their Motility2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Robertas Petrolisrobertas.petrolis@lsmuni.ltRima Ramonaiterimaramonaite@gmail.comDainius Joceviciusdainius.jocevicius@lsmuni.ltGediminas Kiudelisgediminas.kiudelis@lsmuni.ltLimas Kupcinskaslimas.kupcinskas@lsmuni.ltAlgimantas Kriščiukaitisalgimantas.krisciukaitis@lsmuni.ltA method for automatic determination of quantitative estimate of cultured gastrointestinal cancer cells motility is proposed to estimate their invasiveness. The method is based on mathematical morphology methods applied for cultured cell image series taken during long term (about 3 - 4 hours) continuous imaging.2017-02-22T05:56:29+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3392Initial Results of Liver Tissue Characterization Using Endogenous Motion Tracking Method2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Andrius Sakalauskasandrius.sakalauskas@ktu.ltRytis Jurkonisrytis.jurkonis@ktu.ltSigita Gelmansigita.gelman@gmail.comArūnas Lukoševičiusalukos@ktu.ltLimas Kupčinskaslimas.kupcinskas@lsmuni.lt<p>In this paper we are aiming to evaluate the feasibility of endogenious motion (induced by heartbeat and vascular activity) of liver to be employed for the tissue characterization in healthy and fibrotic liver. The algorithm based on cross-correlation of ultrasonic RF signals was developed and used for the natural tissue motion assessment. The parameters representing average tissue motion in predefined regions were derived. It was determined that differences in tissue anterograde motion amplitude could be observed for the different severity of liver disease.</p>2017-02-22T06:00:58+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3398Cow udder detection in thermal images of cows2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Martynas Patašiusmartynas.patasius@ktu.ltDanuta Beliavska-Aleksiejūnėdanuta.beliavska@lsmuni.ltŽiedė GarbenytėZiede.Garbenyte@lsmuni.ltKristina Musayevakristina.musayeva@lsmuni.ltAntanas Sederevičiusantanas.sederevicius@lsmuni.ltMastitis (inflammation of the udder) causes agricultural businesses significant losses. It is likely that mastitis detection methods based on thermal imaging would be faster and encourage more testing. However, they automated detection of udder, which would be the first step towards using those images, hasn’t received much attention. Thus this paper discusses a possible way to detect udder in thermal images. The proposed method is based on marker guided watershed transform. It has achieved the average sensitivity of 0.9320, average specificity of 0.8189 and average MCC of 0.6159.2017-02-20T15:18:44+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3367Review of assistive technologies for disabled people2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Julius Gelšvartasjulius.gelsvartas@gmail.comAndrius Lauraitisandrius.lauraitis@ktu.ltRimvydas Simutisrimvydas.simutis@ktu.ltRytis Maskeliūnasrytmask@ktu.ltThis paper reviews the state of the art assistive technologies. Three topics are covered in the paper, namely user input modalities, user interface and information presentation modalities. The main focus of the paper are assistive technologies for patients with severe mobility disabilities such as tetraplegia or paraplegia. The system architecture and implementation details of a modular human computer interface are also provided. This system can easily be adapted according to the abilities of a particular patient.2017-02-22T04:55:02+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3409Correlations between automated dysphonia quantification and perceptual voice evaluation2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Nora Ulozaitenora.ulozaite@gmail.comTadas Petrauskasnora.ulozaite@gmail.comViktoras Saferisnora.ulozaite@gmail.comVirgilijus Ulozasnora.ulozaite@gmail.com<p>The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility and robustness of Lithuanian version of Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI-LT) for dysphonia quantification and it‘s correlations with auditory-perceptual judgment.</p> <p>The AVQI-LT was calculated using the mixed gender database of voice recordings in this study containing 153 digital voice recordings of sustained phonation of the vowel sound /a/ and 13 syllables Lithuanian sentence. Five experienced physicians-laryngologists performed auditory-perceptual evaluations to quantify the vocal deviation. The results of the present study revealed significant and marked concurrent validity between two auditory-perceptual judgment procedures and AVQI-LT. Very strong and statistically significant correlations between AVQI-LT and all factors of auditory-perceptual voice assessment (including G, R and B) were achieved.</p> <p>Conclusion. The AVQI-LT strongly correlates with auditory-perceptual voice assessment and is considered to be a valid and reliable tool for automated quantification of dysphonia in Lithuanian speaking population.</p>2017-02-22T06:04:01+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3399Auto-Encoder based ECG Signal Feature Extraction for Real-Time Detection of Cardiac Arrhythmias2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Andrius Gudiškisandrius.gudiskis@vgtu.ltArtūras Serackisarturas.serackis@vgtu.ltIn this paper, we proposed to use an auto-encoder for ECG signal feature extraction and a QRS complex shape prediction error as an estimate of signal shape changes, related to arrhythmia. In order to estimate the efficiency of auto-encoder based feature extraction, we performed an experimental investigation using Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) indicated incidents’ records from Physionet database. The experimental investigation has shown, that the application of auto-encoder makes possible to detect VT incidents in signals, where the features based on signal frame averaging fails. An additional investigation is needed in order to create a robust algorithm for decision threshold selection, to indicate the MSE value changes, at which the VT incident related alarm should be activated.2017-02-22T06:02:28+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3395Exploration of modelling of blood flow through the arterial tree using phase error reducing finite element model2017-02-24T12:24:48+02:00Martynas Patasiusmartynas.patasius@ktu.ltAndrius Krisciunasandrius.krisciunas@ktu.ltAndrius Rapalisandrius.rapalis@gmail.comRimantas BarauskasRimantas.Barauskas@ktu.ltArturas Janusauskasarturas.janusauskas@ktu.ltDalia Calnerytedalia.calneryte@ktu.ltAudrius Neciunasaudrius.neciunas@ktu.lt<p>This work explores the possibility to use a new phase error reducing variant of finite element model to model the blood flow. It has been found that, even using mostly generic anatomical data, the method can be adapted to find the values of pulse transit time that are close to the ones found from ECG and PPG.</p>2017-02-20T14:29:08+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3404Cardivascular screening of patients revealing risk of diabetes: evaluation of possibilities2017-02-24T12:24:49+02:00Sergej Sosunkevičdoctor@inbox.ltAndrius Rapalisandrius.rapalis@ktu.ltArūnas Lukoševičiusarunas.lukosevicius@ktu.lt<p>The diabetes is associated with increased death risk from cardiovascular disease. The change of elastic properties of arteries is a good diagnostic indicator to determine a risk of cardiovascular pathologies. Currently there are no non-invasive techniques for cardiovascular pathology diagnostic in diabetes. In this study average pulse amplitude of PPG signal increased after leg orthostatic and occlusion in healthy subject and decreased in subject with diagnosed DM. The results showed a possibility to detect changes of arteries of healthy subjects and subject with diagnosed diabetes.</p>2017-02-22T06:03:41+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3386Smart textile garment for breathing volume monitoring2017-02-24T12:24:49+02:00Aleksandrs OkssAleksandrs.Okss@rtu.lvAlexei Katashevkatashev@latnet.lvJanne Mantylajanne.mantyla@ge.comRene Coffengrene.coffeng@ge.com<p>The present paper demonstrates applicability of the knitted resistive fabric, developed by the Riga Technical University, to the monitoring of the in-bed patient respiratory rate and volume. The parameters of the fabric – based monitoring system is compatible with ones of commercially available respiratory belt systems.</p>2017-02-22T05:58:54+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3391Motion artifacts in photoplethysmographic signals modeling based on optical and topological properties of skin2017-02-24T12:24:49+02:00Vytautas Vizbaravytautasvizbara@gmail.comDaivaras Sokasvytautasvizbara@gmail.comVaidotas Marozasvytautasvizbara@gmail.com<p>Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a simple and low-cost optical technique that can be used to detect blood volume changes in the microvascular bed of tissue. It is often used non-invasively to make measurements at the skin surface. It has been widely used in wearable devices, such as smart-watches for fitness tracking and vital sign monitoring. However, motion artifact is a strong interference, preventing accurate estimation of vital signs. Human tissue deformation is one of the main known source of motion artefacts. The aim of this study is to introduce model based on optical and topological properties of skin showing the origin of motion artifacts in PPG signal.</p>2017-02-22T06:00:34+02:00http://biomed.ktu.lt/index.php/BME/article/view/3401Automatic working time counter for ultrasound diagnostic systems2017-02-24T12:24:49+02:00Rytis Jurkonisrytis.jurkonis@ktu.ltHaroldas Krucasrytis.jurkonis@ktu.lt<p>State Health Care Accreditation Agency under the Ministry of Health instructs the health care institutions to keep the operating time records of costly medical systems. The governmental requirement to report using time of costly medical systems is mandatory from 2014. Fulfillment of this obligation have raised discussions if there are technical possibilities to account time when systems are in use. The ultrasound diagnostic systems (UDS) are that which quit frequent are used costly medical systems in hospitals. In this study we aiming to present technical possibilities of working time automatic counter dedicated for UDS. We introduce definition of using time for UDS: system is in-use when scanning of patient is being performed and ultrasound waves are sent from the array transducer (so called scan-head). There are presented the results of verification of designed and prototyped automatic counter. Verification is done with UDS SonixTouch (Ultrasonix, Canada) working with phased array (2-4MHz) transducer SA4-2. The idea of automatic counter is to detect changes of electrical power consumption. The increased power consumption in UDS is related with scanning when ultrasound waves are sent from the array transducer. Verification results confirm that individually programmed automatic counter could provide objective estimates of technical time of using of UDS with error less than 1 second. We can conclude that it is important to ensure individual programming of counter to particular imaging parameters and particular UDS.</p>2017-02-22T06:03:19+02:00